Jain Journal 2000 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 44

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXIV, No. 4 April 2000 From Vedic times to the present Rudra or Shiva and Rishabha has been considered usually as alternate names or designations which are Digambara, Digväsa, Tapomaya, Charukesha, Shanta, Akshobhya, Ahimsa, Jnani, Kapardi, Jati. These are such attributes as become perfectly applicable in their meaning to Rishabha Tirthankara. His nudity, matted hair is well-known. The characteristic mark of Shankara is found in Jaina creations and images known as Triratna, which is found clearly marked in the cave of Saratakharavela at Udaigiri in Orissa. It is found marked on the palms of the ancient images of Rishabha and other Tirthankaras.
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The arch-form of this mark is found in the form of tri-horn on the Indus valley seal images. It should not be surprising if the same mark evolved later as a phase of moon. Om, svastikā and the cross of Christianity as well as the moon and star of Islam, as noted by the eminent Jaina scholar Dr Hiralal Jain.
The disciples of Shiva are collectively called Gana, whose leader is called Ganapati and Ganesh. The group of munis established by Rishabha is also called Gana and its leader, his chief disciple, is called Gaṇadhara. The tradition of Gana and Ganadhara is found unbroken till the last tirthankara Mahavira.
Rishabha occupies a very important place in the Shaiva sect. In Linga Purana he is described as a king revered all the kshtriyas and in Vayu Purana he is described as the ancestor of all the kshatriya kingssarva-kshatrasya purvajah. Such parallels and spiritual affinities since prehistoric times between Rishabha and Shiva show unmistakably that new Jainism and its first propounder have been the precursor of the later Shaiva doctrine.
The most notable example of the fusion and synthesis of not only the Jaina, Shaiva, but also the Brahmanic. Vedic, Buddhist and other Indian philosophies is found in the great Himalayan centre of pilgrimage, Badrinatha or Badri Vishala. In the Badri Vishala temple in the daily worship the following stotra is recited: "One who is honoured as Shaiva by the Shivas, as Brahma by the Vedantins, as Buddha by the Buddhists, as the Cause by the Naiyayikas, Arhan by the Jainas, Karma by the Mimansakas, such god of the three worlds may grant us our longed for fruits. This illustrates how the Badrinath embodies the true secular synthesis of the India.
From the The Times of India, New Delhi, December 30, 1999 by Bal Palit.